Fluid pressure engine

ABSTRACT

A stationary, hollow, cylindrical housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet confines within it a rotary vane support which mounts a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes pivoted thereto adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes parallel to the rotational axis of the vane support. Also within the housing is a fixed core member arranged to provide an annular passageway between it and the housing, the radial dimension of which passageway is substantially uniform from the inlet to the outlet and decreases progressively from the outlet to the inlet in the direction of rotation of the vane assembly. The vanes extend across and substantially close this annular passageway and pivot to allow them to accommodate to the change in radial dimension of the passageway. Fluid under pressure enters the annular passageway through the inlet and applies pressure against each vane as it rotates toward the outlet where the fluid pressure is exhausted. A valve closes the restricted annular passageway releasably adjacent the inlet to prevent fluid under pressure from the reacting counter to the direction of rotation of the vane assembly.

United States Patent Iverson [54] FLUID PRESSURE ENGINE [72] Inventor: Iver Iverson, Box 41, 3909 East Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Wash. 98661 [22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 83,091

[52] US. Cl. ..418/176, 418/260, 418/268 [51] Int. Cl ..F01c 1/00, F030 3/00, F040 1/00 [58] Field of Search ..418/176, 260, 267, 268, 253, 418/254 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,218,290 3/1917 Mattern ..418/176 314,126 3/1885 Hinds ..418/176 607,922 7/1898 Evans et al. ..418/176 669,502 3/1901 Bonsteel ..418/176 Primary Examiner--Carlton R. Croyle Assistant Examiner-John J. Vrablik Attorney-Oliver D. Olson [57] ABSTRACT A stationary, hollow, cylindrical housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet confines within it a rotary vane support which mounts a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes pivoted thereto adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes parallel to the rotational axis of the vane support. Also within the housing is a fixed core member arranged to provide an annular passageway between it and the housing, the radial dimension of which passageway is substantially uniform from the inlet to the outlet and decreases progressively from the outlet to the inlet in the direction of rotation of the vane assembly. The vanes extend across and substantially close this annular passageway and pivot to allow them to accommodate to the change in radial dimension of the passageway. Fluid under pressure enters the annular passageway through the inlet and applies pressure against each vane as it rotates toward the outlet where the fluid pressure is exhausted. A valve closes the restricted annular passageway releasably adjacent the inlet to prevent fluid under pressure from the reacting counter to the direction of rotation of the vane assembly.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fluid pressure engines, and more particularly to an engine of the type in which fluid pressure is applied against a rotary vane structure to effect rotation of the latter.

Fluid pressure engines of the class described have been provided heretofore. However,'they are of complex and costly construction and require frequent maintenance and replacement of parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept the fluid pressure engine of this invention utilizes vanes pivoted to a rotary member for rotation through an annular space which is of substantially uniform radial dimension from a fluid pressure inlet to a fluid pressure outlet and is constricted in the area between the fluid pressure outlet and the fluid pressure inlet, in the direction or rotation of the rotary member.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal objective of this invention isachieved; namely, to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of prior fluid pressure engines.

The foregoing and otherobjects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, foreshortened transverse section, taken along the line 11 in FIG. 2, of a fluid pressure engine embodying the features of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view in vertical elevation taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the 3--3 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the engine of this invention may utilize various types of fluid under pressure, such as steam, compressed air, gases of combustion, and others, it is particularly suitable for use with water under pressure. Thus, for example, the engine may be located with its inlet opening disposed a desired distance below the surface of water above a darn, or with the inlet connected to an elongated conduit of adequate capacity extending from a riveror other body of water at a suitably higher elevation. The hydrostatic pressure of the water thus provides sufficient pressure tooperate the engine. The output power from the engine may be utilized for various purposes, for example to drive an electric generator.

The fluid pressure engine of this invention includes a stationary, hollow, cylindrical housing formed of laterally spaced end walls and 12 and an interconnecting cylindrical side wall 14. The housing is mounted in a fixed, non-rotatable position by any suitable means. Such means is illustrated by the extensions 16 and 18 projecting in opposite directions from the center of the end walls 10 and 12, respectively, for mounting upon suitable standards.

The side wall 14 of the housing is provided with an opening at its upperend which communicates with an inlet conduit 20 that serves to direct fluid under pressure into the housing. The side wall of the housing also has an opening adjacent the bottom thereof which communicates with an outlet conduit 22 that functions to discharge the fluid under pressure from the housing.

Confined within the housing is a rotary vane assembly. In the embodiment illustrated the vane assembly includes a pair of axially spaced circular vanesupporting discs 24 and 26, one positioned adjacent each of the inner sides of the end] walls of the housing. Circumferentially spaced braces 28 extend between the discs adjacent the circumference thereof to secure them together in properly spaced arrangement.

The discs function to support between them a plurality of vanes 30, preferably three in number as illustrated. Each vane is supported pivotally at its outer end adjacent the outer circumference of the discs as by means of pivot shafts 32 joumaled in the discs. The vanes extendsubstantially the full distance between the discs.

A power output shaft 34 from the vane assembly is secured to the disc 24and extends outward through an axial bore in the extension 16. The output shaft may be coupled toa generator or other device to be driven, by direct coupling, gears, chain and sprockets, or any other well known means.

Also confined within the housing is a core member. In the embodiment illustrated the core member includes a pair of axially spaced end walls 36 and 38 and a peripheral wall 40. The core member is mounted in fixed relation to the housing by such means as the extension 42 which projects from the end wall 38 and is joined integrally with the end wall 12 of the housing. An aligned axial extension 44 from the opposite end wall 36 is received in a bore in the output shaft 34, and functions merely to support that end of the core member.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2 of the.drawing,.it is to be noted that the peripheral side wall 40 of the core member is provided with an arcuate portion which extends from the inlet opening 20 to the outlet opening 22. The passageway between the arcuate side wall and the inner surface of thehousing side wall 14 thusis substantially uniform in radial dimension. The remaining portion of the side wall 40 of the core member is contoured to provide the passageway between said side wall and the side wall of the housing with a progressively decreasing radial dimension from the outlet opening 22 to the inlet opening 20, in the direction of rotation of the vane assembly. The adjacent endsof the side wall are connected by the substantially radial side wall portion 40'.

The radial length of each vane preferably is made substantiallyequal to the radial dimension of the aforementioned uniform passageway. Thus, when each vane is disposed radially with respect to the rotational axis of the vane assembly, it spans the uniform passageway and closes the latter. Aligned pairs of stop members 46 are secured to the inner surfaces of the discs for abutment bythe opposite ends of the vanes in said radial position, to limit the pivotal movement of each vane in the direction of rotation of the vane assembly.

As each vane rotates from the outlet opening 22 toward the inlet opening 20, it pivots in the direction opposite the direction of rotation of the vane assembly to accommodate itself to the progressively decreasing radial dimension of the passageway between the walls 14 and 40.

The end walls 36 and 38 of the core member are spaced inwardly of the inner surfaces of the discs 24 and 26, as illustrated in Fig. 1, a distance sufficient to accommodate the stop members 46 during their movement from the outlet opening 22 to the inlet opening 20. It is to be noted that the stop members are disposed radially outward of the peripheral side wall 40 of the core member in a uniform passageway between the inlet 20 and the outlet 22, but that the stop members must traverse a portion of the opposite edges of the side wall 40 during rotation from the outlet opening 22 to the inlet opening 20. Accordingly, those portions of the side wall projecting laterally from the end walls 36 and 38 are recessed sufficiently to allow passage of the stop members from the outer side of the side wall 40 to the inner side thereof.

The radial side wall portion 40 also is provided with openings 48 adjacent its lateral sides to permit the passage therethrough of the stop members 46. These openings are normally closed by spring loaded gate members 50 (FIG. 3) which are mounted on the wall portion 40, as by hinges 52, and are opened upon contact of the stop members. After passage of the stop member the gates return to closed position to seal the wall portion against the entrance of fluid under pressure at the inlet opening 20.

Means also is provided for preventing the entrance of fluid under pressure from the inlet opening 20 through the constricted end of the annular passageway in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of the vane assembly. In the embodiment illustrated this means comprises a gate valve member which includes a portion 54 forming a part of the peripheral side wall 40 of the core member and an offset portion 54 which overlaps the outer end of the radial wall portion 40' to substantially close the constricted end of the annular passageway. This valve member is mounted for pivotal movement on the axis of pivot shafts 56 which extend through valve mounting brackets 58 and the end walls of the core member.

An extension of each mounting bracket 58 connects one end of a coil spring 60 the opposite end of which is secured to the adjacent end wall of the core member. The springs thus function to urge the valve member resiliently outward to the closed position illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, as each brace 28 and vane 30 rotates toward the inlet opening, it depresses the gate valve resiliently inward. against the opposing force of these springs. The valve is returned resiliently outward to the closed position upon passage of each brace and vane.

In the closed position of the gate valve, fluid pressure at the inlet opening 20 is prevented from entering the constricted annular passageway in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of the vane assembly. Accordingly, fluid pressure at the inlet opening is caused to react exclusively against the vane located in the substantially uniform portion of the annular passageway.

The operation of the engine described hereinbefore is as follows: Let it be assumed that the fluid pressure to operate the engine is water pressure delivered to the engine through the intake opening 20. With the components of the engine arranged as illustrated in Fig. 2, the water pressure is applied against the confronting surface of the uppermost vane 30, causing the vane assembly to rotate clockwise, The uppermost vane extends radially of the vane assembly, being in abutment with its associated stop member 46. Water under pressure is prevented from entering the constricted end of the annular passageway and applying a force counter to the direction of rotation of the vane assembly, by virtue of the gate valve 54, 54' being in the closed position illustrated.

As the vane assembly rotates clockwise under the influence of the water pressure, the vane preceding the uppermost vane rotates through the area of the outlet opening 22 through which the water confined between said vanes is discharged. The left hand vane pivots clockwise to accommodate itself to the progressively decreasing radial dimension of the passageway between the peripheral wall 40 of the core member and the inner surface of the housing side wall 14. As the vane approaches the constricted end of the passageway, the gate valve is deflected inward by abutment of the spacing brace 28 and then the vane to allow them to pass through into the passageway of uniform radial dimension. Further, as the stop member 46 for each vane rotate toward the radial wall portion 40 of the core member, they move from outside the peripheral wall of the core member to the inside thereof and then through the lateral openings 48 in the radial wall. At this point the stop members engage the gates and opens the latter to allow the stop members to pass through. Thereafter the gates pivot back to closed position to prevent water under pressure from passing through the openings.

It will be understood that the drawing illustrates the engine in rather schematic form and that various changes may be made in the size, shape, number, type and arrangement of parts described hereinbefore. For example, the engine may be arranged horizontally, rather than vertically as illustrated. An output shaft may extend from both sides of the housing and coupled together through a common jack shaft to minimize torque on the rotary vane assembly. Suitable seals and bearings will be provided in accordance with the size and use of the engine. The length and width of the vanes may be varied, as desired, by appropriate modification of the housing and associated components. These and other modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may be used, I claim:

1. A fluid pressure engine comprising a. a hollow cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet,

b. a rotary vane support in the housing and including a pair of axially spaced discs,

c. a plurality of vane members mounted on the vane support pivotally adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the vane support,

d. a core member within ad fixed relative to the housing spaced from the periphery thereof and defining with the latter an annular passageway of substantially uniform radial dimension between the inlet and outlet and of decreasing radial dimension between the outlet and inlet, in the direction of rotation of the rotary vane support,

e. stop means on the vane support engageable by each vane member to limit the pivotal movement of the latter in the direction of rotation of the vane support to substantially close said annular passageway,

f. the core member including a pair of axially spaced end walls spaced inward of the corresponding vane support discs, and a peripheral wall extending across the spaced end walls substantially to the corresponding vane support discs in the substantially uniform area of the annular passageway,

g. a portion of the peripheral wall of the core member in the area of the decreasing radial dimension of the annular passageway being spaced from the vane support discs sufficiently to allow passage of the stop means,

h. the peripheral wall portion of the core member between the adjacent ends of the wall portions forming the constricted and uniform radial dimension areas of the annular passageway having openings therein for passage of the stop means, and

i. gate means mounted on said peripheral wall portion normally closing each of said openings and movable upon contact by the stop means to allow the latter to pass through said openings.

. A fluid pressure engine comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet,

b. a rotary vane support in the housing and including a pair of axially spaced discs,

0. a plurality of vane members mounted on the vane support pivotally adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the bane support,

d. a core member within and fixed relative to the housing spaced from the periphery thereof and defining with the latter an annular passageway of substantially uniform radial dimension between the inlet and outlet and of decreasing radial dimension between the outlet and inlet, in the direction of rotation of the rotary vane support,

e. valve means in the constricted area of the annular passageway adjacent the inlet normally closing said passageway and movable upon contact by each vane member to allow the latter to pass therethrough,

f. stop means on the vane support engageable by each vane member to limit the pivotal movement of the latter in the direction of rotation of the vane support to substantially close said annular passageway, and

g. a rotary output shaft extending from the vane support outward through the housing,

h. the core member including l. a pair of axially spaced end walls spaced inward of the corres ndin disc of the vane su ort, 2. a peripheramall e xten ing across the paced end walls substantially to the corresponding vane support discs in the substantially uniform area of the annular passageway,

3. a portion of the peripheral wall in the area of the decreasing radial dimension of the annular passageway being spaced from the vane support discs sufficiently to allow passage of the stop means,

4. the peripheral wall portion of the core member between the adjacent ends of the wall portions forming the constricted and uniform radial dimension areas of the annular passageway having openings therein for passage of the stop means, and

5. gate means mounted on said peripheral wall portion nonnally closing each of said openings and movable upon contact by the stop means to allow the latter to pass through said openings. 

1. A fluid pressure engine comprising a. a hollow cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet, b. a rotary vane support in the housing and including a pair of axially spaced discs, c. a plurality of vane members mounted on the vane support pivotally adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the vane support, d. a core member within ad fixed relative to the housing spaced from the periphery thereof and defining with the latter an annular passageway of substantially uniform radial dimension between the inlet and outlet and of decreasing radial dimension between the outlet and inlet, in the direction of rotation of the rotary vane support, e. stop means on the vane support engageable by each vane member to limit the pivotal movement of the latter in the direction of rotation of the vane support to substantially close said annular passageway, f. the core member including a pair of axially spaced end walls spaced inward of the corresponding vane support discs, and a peripheral wall extending across the spaced end walls substantially to the corresponding vane support discs in the substantially uniform area of the annular passageway, g. a portion of the peripheral wall of the core member in the area of the decreasing radial dimension of the annular passageway being spaced from the vane support discs sufficiently to allow passage of the stop means, h. the peripheral wall portion of the core member between the adjacent ends of the wall portions forming the constricted and uniform radial dimension areas of the annular passageway having openings therein for passage of the stop means, and i. gate means mounted on said peripheral wall portion normally closing each of said openings and movable upon contact by the stop means to allow the latter to pass through said openings.
 2. A fluid pressure engine comprising a. a hollow cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet, b. a rotary vane support in the housing and including a pair of axially spaced discs, c. a plurality of vane members mounted on the vane support pivotally adjacent the periphery of the housing on axes substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the bane support, d. a core member within and fixed relative to the housing spaced from the periphery thereof and defining with the latter an annular passageway of substantially uniform radial dimension between the inlet and outlet and of decreasing radial dimension between the outlet and inlet, in the direction of rotation of the rotary vane support, e. valve means in the constricted area of the annular passageway adjacent the inlet normally closing said passageway and movable upon contact by each vane member to allow the latter to pass therethrough, f. stop means on the vane support engageable by each vane member to limit the pivotal movement of the latter in the direction of rotation of the vane support to substantially close said annular passageway, and g. a rotary output shaft extending from the vane support outward through the housing, h. the core member including
 2. a peripheral wall extending across the spaced end walls substantially to the corresponding vane support discs in the substantially uniform area of the annular passageway,
 3. a portion of the peripheral wall in the area of the decreasing radial dimension of the annular passageway being spaced from the vane support discs sufficiently to allow passage of the stop means,
 4. the peripheral wall portion of the core member between the adjacent ends of the wall portions forming the constricted and uniform radial dimension areas of the annular passageway having openings therein for passage of the stop means, and
 5. gate means mounted on said peripheral wall portion normally closing each of said openings and movable upon contact by the stop means to allow the latter to pass through said openings. 